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Tag Archives: Childish Gambino

So, I won’t lie, son. On the real, the title of this post is a bit misleading, man. I mean, on face value, it may seem as if I’m questioning Childish Gambino‘s direction on his 3.15.20 album. However, this entire article is about to be on some Stan shit, fam. All I know is, I have no fucking idea what I’m hearing on Donald Glover‘s new project. But, I can safely say that I love the shit out of it, bruh.

Ok, for those who missed it, Gambino just released his fourth album. Now, the manner in which this project was released has been true to form for Glover: weird. First, last Sunday (3/15/20 *hint hint*), Gambino uploaded the album to donaldgloverpresents.com. Anyway, for about 12 hours, the project was on a continuous loop on the website. After that period of time, the music was taken down and we were all left to wonder what the fuck just happened. Fast forward to last night, Gambino released the album, now titled 3.15.20, on all streaming platforms. Needless to say, I was fucking HYPED, son!

Now, in regards to the music, there’s nothing straightforward about this project, man. Like, the tracks can’t be confined to one genre and a number of them have multiple sections. All in all, there’s a high-level of musicianship running through this album, fam. From the guitars to the synths to the vocal harmonies, the songs have a lot of elements that are in my bag, bruh. On top of that, “Feels Like Summer,” which is now called “42.26,” is still my shit, son. The point is, I’m fucking happy to have my new coronavirus soundtrack, brethren.

In the end, there’s nothing else to say, son. Ultimately, everyone needs to go listen to the album, man. By and by, it might be a challenging listen for some people. But, as someone who worships Prince, I’m all about challenging listens, fam. Side note, I’m not comparing Gambino to Prince, but I applaud any artist who (successfully) takes risks. At the end of the day, I’ve never been disappointed by a Childish Gambino project (not even Camp). Today is not the day to start, folks. That is all. LC out.

P.S. Shout-out to DJ Dahi and Ludwig Göransson. All I can say is, they did their fucking thing on the production, son. Good day.

P.P.S. Here are some of my favorite tunes from the album. Ok, I’m really done now.

So, before anybody says anything, I’m fully aware of the fact that I criticized the press rollout for the new The Lion King. Keeping it a buck, I stand by everything I’ve said, son. Shit, Disney did the absolute most to prop Beyoncé up as the star of the show, man. Anyway, I’m still going to give the movie a shot, fam. All I know is, my wrath will be in full effect if Jon Favreau and company ruined a classic, bruh. With all of that being said, I decided to give Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album a spin. After two listens, I really fucks with it, brethren.

Now, given the African influence of The Lion King, it was easy to surmise that Afrobeats would have a prominent role in the music. To that point, Beyoncé got a lot of dope Nigerian and Ghanaian artists to grace the songs. Whether we’re talking about Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid or Shatta Wale, a lot of credible African artists got their just due, son. Look, as a Carib kid who was raised on Calypso and Soca, I feel at home with Afrobeats, man. I mean, there’s a distinct commonality throughout all of the music of the diaspora, fam. So, I’m just happy to see all of this come to fruition, bruh.

Moving on, a bunch of other dope artists got a chance to flex on some of the records, son. Like, Jay-Z‘s on a track with Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar is dueting with Beyoncé, Saint Jhn is getting some much needed recognition and Tierra Whack is destroying everything in sight. All in all, I can’t really say there were any songs I straight up disliked, man. Frankly, this is a well put together soundtrack, fam. So, major props to Beyoncé, bruh.

In the end, I’ll do my best to separate the music from the movie, son. Ultimately, I just hope the film wasn’t diluted, man. By and by, I’m seeing the picture on Saturday, so I’ll judge for myself, fam. If push comes to shove, at least I have the album, bruh. *Sigh* Don’t let me down, Disney! Don’t let me down. That is all. LC out.

So, let me keep it a buck, son. On the real, I know I’m treading dangerously with this post, man. However, as a lifelong The Lion King fan, I feel like I have to take a stand, fam. Listen, I know everyone loves Beyoncé, but the fact is, The Lion King isn’t about her character, Nala. With that being said, I really don’t like how much more attention she’s getting than the rest of the cast.

Ok, for those who are living under a rock, Disney is releasing a live-action version of the classic film. Now, I think it’s safe to say that this movie is star-studded, bruh. FromBeyoncé to Donald Glover to Seth Rogen to Chiwetel Ejiofor to James Earl Jones, the big guns came out for this joint, son. Shit, they even got Jon Favreau directing it, man. Side note, I can’t explain how happy I am that Jones is still voicing Mufasa, fam. I mean, no one else is worthy enough for the role, brethren.

In any case, the film sounds fantastic on paper, son. But, as promotion for the movie has started to ramp up, I’ve noticed that Beyoncé is getting a lot of the shine, man. Like, anytime I look on social media, I see people talking about Beyoncé. Next, I read a report that she’s adding her own original song to the flick. Hell, even outlets like Complex are giving Beyoncé her own billing on their sites. All I know is, her character isn’t even close to being the star of the show, fam.

Look, let’s be frank here, bruh. If we’re going by the original film, Nala’s in like three scenes, son. First, Simba convinces her to go to the elephant graveyard and shenanigans with the hyenas ensue. Next, a whole heap of years later, she finds Simba in the wilderness with Timon and Pumbaa. Finally, she helps Simba take down Scar, reclaim Pride Rock and then becomes his bride. Now, in total, that’s like 15 minutes of airtime, man. So, how does any actress playing that role become the focal point of the press campaign, fam?

Listen, I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I know how the movie is going to turn out. All in all, the live-action version could very well end up being a play-by-play remake of the original. All I’m saying is, based on Beyoncé’s coverage, it looks like the powers that be are trying to position her as the lead. In my eyes, that would be a complete disservice to the masterpiece that was/is the 1994 version of the film.

In the end, I want to make myself perfectly clear, son. Ultimately, I’m not trying to hate on Beyoncé. Real talk, I would feel the same way if it were anyone else. The truth is, I’m just a diehard fan of the original movie. By and by, I don’t want Disney to fuck up a classic just to capitalize off of Beyoncé’s fame. The way I see it, the plot is already perfect, man. So, I just hope they stick to the script and do the film justice, fam. At the end of the day, I’d be devastated if they fuck this up. That is all. LC out.

So, I won’t lie, son. Real talk, I’m blown away right now, man. Like, what year are we in, fam? Seriously, what fucking year is it, bruh? Keeping it a buck, I don’t want to hear anything about progress, people. Shit, every time we think we’re moving ahead as a country, some fuckery occurs to bring us all back down. All I know is, the attack on Jussie Smollett was absolutely unconscionable. Frankly, I’m having a hard time putting my frustration into words, folks.

Ok, for those who missed it, Smollett was attacked in Chicago on Tuesday morning. According to the story, while walking out of a Subway restaurant at 2 AM, two dudes rolled up on him and said “aren’t you that faggot Empire nigger?” From there, the two ski-masked men hit Smollett in the face, injured his rib, put a rope around his neck and poured an “unknown chemical substance” on him. After all of that, the men allegedly yelled “this is MAGA country” before leaving the scene.

Now, I don’t even know where to start, son. I mean, do I start at the “faggot” part? Do I start at the “nigger” part? Or, should I start at the “MAGA country” part? Regardless, this whole scenario appears to be a clusterfuck of hate, man. Not to mention, a letter threatening Smollett was sent to Fox studios just a week prior to this incident. Meaning, he may have been targeted this entire time, fam.

Listen, I need Donald Trump supporters to hear me clear. As much as the MAGA brigade likes to say they’re not racist or xenophobic, there are a number of people who commit atrocities in their name. Look, if folks want all Muslims to atone for the actions of the radical few, why does MAGA nation think they’re exempt? It’s not a coincidence that losers preach hate in their name. It’s not a coincidence that David Duke identifies with the message. All in all, I don’t want to hear any of that “I don’t agree with everything Trump says” shit. The way I see it, it’s a package deal, bruh. People can’t piecemeal what they want and ignore all of the other tomfoolery that comes with it, son.

In the end, I’m wishing the best for Jussie Smollett. Ultimately, I hope they catch the motherfuckers who did this bullshit to him, man. By and by, it’s frightening that crimes like this are still occurring in 2019. At the end of the day, it’s dangerous for so many different groups of people, fam. *Sigh* This is America. Don’t catch you slipping up. LC out.

*Sigh* Say it ain’t so, Childish Gambino! Look, someone PLEASE tell me that Donald Glover didn’t steal “This Is America,” son! PLEASE tell me that he didn’t jack Jase Harley for his “American Pharaoh” song, man! I mean, after all of the praise we gave Glover for his record and video, it would be HIGHLY unfortunate if he robbed another artist. All in all, I just hope that all of the biting rumors are nothing more than internet shenanigans, fam.

Ok, before I continue, let me be clear, bruh. Listen, I have no idea if Gambino “took inspiration” from Harley. As it currently stands, Glover’s team has officially disputed the story. According to them, “This Is America” is three years old, which would put its creation a year before the release of “American Pharaoh.” However, folks on Reddit couldn’t help but run with the story, son. Namely because of the sonic similarities between the two songs.

Look, from the subject matter to the flow to the chanting to the percussion, I can kinda understand why some people think Gambino ripped Harley off. With all of that being said, this topic could all be hogwash, man. Shit, if the song is really as old as Glover’s team claims, then there isn’t anything to discuss, fam. But, they could also be saving face, bruh. Frankly, it would be a TERRIBLE look if Gambino stole his first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, folks. Hell, in that case, I’d have a hard time separating the song’s message from it’s alleged creation, brethren.

In the end, I’m going to try and look at the bright side, son. Ultimately, I found out about a good new artist thanks to this tomfoolery, man. By and by, I can’t decipher whether or not Glover pulled a jack move. So, I’m going to keep on vibing to his music while becoming more familiar with Harley’s. At the end of the day, that’s all I’ve got, fam. But, everyone else can judge for themselves below. Is Gambino a thieving ass thief? LC out.

So, I won’t lie, son. Real talk, I haven’t written about the heinous practices at the southern border because I haven’t been able to find the right words to express my disgust. Like, I don’t know how a “fair and just” nation could EVER think that separating innocent children from their parents is an acceptable policy. All I know is, I’m sick of Donald Trump, I’m sick of the GOP and I’m sick of all of the people who support this inhumane agenda.

Now, at this point, EVERYONE should’ve heard about what’s happening at the southern border, son. Basically, kids are being ripped away from their parents for trying to get into this country. Ok, yes, there absolutely should be checks and balances for who’s allowed to come into the United States. However, what part of the game is decimating families for the sake of immigration? Look, America has been a nation for almost 250 years. Clearly, we’ve used MUCH better ways to determine an immigrant’s status, man.

Look, I’m not falling for any of the smoke screens, fam. On the real, I hope NO ONE believes the idea that the Democrats enforced this law. First, Trump himself tried to use the separation practice as a negotiation tool. Shit, he literally said that he’d change the law if the Dems agreed to fund his border wall. Next, Jeff Sessions flatly told Laura Ingraham on Fox News that the policy was being used as a “deterrent.” Meaning, they’re threatening immigrants with losing their children if they come across the border.

To make matters worse, crazy ass Stephen Miller is a STRONG proponent of the policy and is alleged to be the psycho who created it. Finally, when I watch Ann Coulter call the crying babies “child actors” and hear Corey Lewandowski say “womp womp” to a video of a girl with Down Syndrome, I know that I’m witnessing pure evil, bruh. So, with all of that being said, miss me with the “this is the Democrats fault” shit. Keeping it a buck, this is EXACTLY the type of devastation that the Republicans wanted, son.

In the end, America continues to show the world just how garbage we are, man. Ultimately, I don’t know how anyone can take pride in this nation, fam. Ok, wait, that’s not true, bruh. By and by, the ONLY people who take pride in this country are the ones who aren’t affected by any of its despicable policies. At the end of the day, the U.S. continues to prove that it isn’t built for anyone with pigmented skin. That is all. LC out.

P.S. If anyone thinks I’m being overly dramatic, just look up “tender age shelters” in Google. *Sigh* This is America, son. Word to Childish Gambino.

So, I’m not going to lie, son. Real talk, I have no interest in writing some elaborate think piece, man. I mean, at this point, A TON has already been said about Donald Glover‘s, excuse me, Childish Gambino‘s “This Is America” video. Frankly, there’s no way for me to add any new insight to the zeitgeist, fam. Side note, Blavity has my favorite write-up about the video so far. Feel free to check it out, folks. In any case, instead of trying to break new ground, I’d much rather speak on what resonates with me. All in all, there are a lot of gems in this joint. Allow me to speak about my favorites, bruh.

Ok, the first thing that jumps out at me is the dancing. Now, the actual moves that Gambino and the children are doing aren’t important, son. In actuality, they’re just a distraction from all of the fuckery going on in the background. On the real, it’s a perfect metaphor for this current generation, man. Look, these days, people only seem to be concerned with turning up, doing drugs and getting money. All the while, racism and classism have engulfed so much around us. All I know is, either we’re not paying attention or we’re just looking for an escape, fam.

Now, the next thing that jumps out at me is the gun violence. Namely, the fact that guns are treated better than people. Shit, after Gambino shoots a guitar player in the head, the gun is safely placed in a cloth. Meanwhile, the dead body is callously hauled away. Next, Gambino murders an entire church choir, but the AK-47 is delicately placed in another cloth. All I can say is, we all live in a country where the Second Amendment is more important than our lives. Keeping it a buck, I low key gave up on the idea of gun reform after Sandy Hook. Listen, if twenty dead children doesn’t inspire action, then what the fuck will, bruh? *Sigh* We can’t continue on like this, son.

Lastly, on a more positive note, I’m presently surprised by the vocals of Young Thug, 21 Savage, Slim Jxmmi, Quavo and BlocBoy JB. Being honest, I didn’t hear them at first, man. I guess I was too enthralled by what I was watching. Anyway, after hearing their adlibs, I’m excited by the fact they contributed to a song like this. Look, it can be said that artists like them have a heavy hand in the issues outlined in the second paragraph. But, they allow themselves to be part of a bigger cause. Now, I don’t know what that means going forward, but it’s super dope in the moment, fam.

In the end, well done, Childish Gambino! Ultimately, I dig the fact that he’s using his platform in such a manner. By and by, it’s easier to be “safe,” bruh. It’s easier to do what’s comfortable for the masses. At the end of the day, it’s much harder to jump off of the ledge, unsure of where the chips may fall. So, shout-out to Glover for not being safe. The way I see it, the times are waaaay too dangerous for that. Good day. LC out.

P.S. Since this post is about Glover, I also want to quickly discuss something else. Look, can Black people kill the narrative that a person can’t be pro-Black and date outside of the race? Listen, who gives a fuck if Glover’s significant other isn’t Black? Oh, is he suddenly clueless about minority issues because he fell in love with someone? Is he suddenly blind to systemic racism because he has a connection with someone? Knock it the fuck off, people! Everyone should be free to love who they love AND work towards community empowerment. That is all.